The next week was hellish. Andrea remained furious for days and of course, didn't hesitate to take it out on me. But no matter how much he hurt me, it didn't make me regret what I did. I'd endure anything for Leo.

Luciano still lurked around too, making snide comments at every opportunity and throwing all of his nasty tactics and resources into provoking me. I had to try my best not to retaliate because Andrea would always take his side but when he mentioned how 'sexy' my four-year-old daughter, Lili, would be when she grew up, I couldn't resist any more and much to his amusement, I completely lost it.

After throwing a glass tequila bottle at him and inflicting a minor cut on his forehead, Andrea intervened and beat me so hard I passed out until the next morning when I woke up with a thudding headache and Luciano sat on the armchair opposite the bed grinning from ear to ear.

"You are relentless," I groaned, "Please, can you just leave me alone?"

"It's good to spend time with family," he said.

"What did I ever do to you?" I asked. "I got you kicked out the pack...twice, fair enough. But you hated me long before that."

"I hate pretty much everyone," he replied with a shrug. "Don't take it personally."

"Seriously, Luciano," I said slowly sitting up. "What did I do?"

He paused for a few seconds furrowing his dark eyebrows as if he was having to try hard to remember.

"Your confidence annoys me," he said finally. "And it's entertaining to wind you up because you give a good reaction. Perfectly demonstrated last night."

"So basically you're just a sadist?" I clarified.

"We established that years ago," he replied in a bored tone. "Sadist, psychopath, sociopath, maniac...whatever. I'm not going to deny it."

Just then the bedroom door opened and Andrea marched in with a scowl on his face.

"She's awake," he stated.

"Indeed she is," Luciano replied a glint in his eye.

"Blanca, get up," Andrea grunted clapping his hands, "It's my birthday today."

"No wonder you're so happy," I remarked under my breath.

"It's my 20th so I'm having a party here tonight. I want the entire house swept and cleaned and you need to cook some food."

I didn't reply and instead just buried myself in the duvet.

"Ay!" he shouted.copy right hot novel pub